This study includes anthropometric measurements (Body Mass Index, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, % Body Fat and Mid Arm Muscle circumference) of a cross-sectional sample of 1247 elderly representative of the Italian population between 65-95 yr (522 males and 725 females). BMI at the 50th percentile is 26 for males and 27.7 for females, at the 90th it is 31.1 and 34.7 for males and females, respectively. Compared with the data of Master et al. (1960), 13% (males) and 28% (females) of the elderly Italian subjects were overweight in 1985.